ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND
Offshore aquaculture: Environmental issues Rebecca Goldburg, Ph.D. Senior Scientist Environmental Defense Fund Hatfield Marine Science Center September 9, 2008
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EDF history
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Science Based
Bipartisan
Market Driven
Alliance Building
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Global Seafood Production 70,000,000
60,000,000
Metric tons
50,000,000
43% of total
40,000,000
30,000,000
9% of total
20,000,000
Wild
10,000,000
Aqua
0 1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
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Offshore aquaculture resembles salmon farming, only further from shore . . .
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Wastewater discharge
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Cumulative impact of $5 billion US offshore industry (“success” as defined by NOAA) = nitrogen discharge equivalent to wastes from 10 million hogs or 17.1 million people (Goldburg and Naylor, 2005)
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Benthic impacts • Sometimes asserted high currents will prevent benthic impact from OA • Studies show otherwise: Lee, H. et al. 2006. Marine Ecology and Progress Series 307:175-185. Rapp, P. et al. 2007. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 23:661-667.
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ESCAPES OF FARMED FISH
Photos courtesy of J. Volpe
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Impacts of escaped fish from offshore aquaculture? Unlike salmon, most current offshore species are not anadramous – interbreeding may be less of a problem for some marine species? Potential problems • •
Marine species may breed in cages Introduction of non-native species
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Spread of Parasites/Diseases
Photos courtesy of John Volpe
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Pathogens in offshore aquaculture • Sometimes asserted virtually no pathogen problems • Kona Blue – farm with some admirable qualities • Considerable incidence of skin flukes on KB’s amberjack Photo courtesy of Kona Blue
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INEFFICIENCY
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Environmental Issues – Net Loss of Fish
+
1 lb.
1 lb.
1 lb.
+
1 lb.
=
Producing one pound of farmed salmon requires roughly three pounds of wild caught fish
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Amberjack 4.5
Florida Pompano 3.8
Halibut 4.2
Red Snapper 4.1
Atlantic salmon 4.2
Pacific Threadfin 3.8
Red Drum 4.3
Summer Flounder 4.5
Atlantic Cod 4.3
Cobia 4.5
Mutton Snapper 3.9
Haddock 3.5
Slide courtesy of John Volpe
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Black Cod
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Strategies Government regulation: Offshore aquaculture permits Government support: R&D Private sector initiatives: Corporate purchasing, certification
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Federal regulation • A number of federal laws apply to marine aquaculture, but none crafted with aquaculture in mind. • Some key environmental impacts fall through the cracks. • Legislation to establish an offshore aquaculture permitting system, drafted by NOAA, was introduced to Congress in 2005 and 2007.
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MATF governance recommendations • Congress should authorize NOAA to develop a marine aquaculture program, including both strong environmental safeguards and provisions to balance aquaculture with other ocean uses.
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MATF governance recommendations • Create an aquaculture permit system which is transparent and provides ample opportunity for stakeholder input. • Make environmental protection a priority. Be precautionary. Establish environmental standards before permits may be issued.
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GAO governance recommendations • Designate a lead federal agency for regulation of offshore aquaculture that has the appropriate expertise. • Set up a clear legislative and regulatory guidance to help ensure that offshore aquaculture facilities have the least amount of impact on the ocean environment.
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GAO governance recommendations • Establish a transparent regulatory process that gives states and the public opportunities to comment on specific offshore aquaculture projects.
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Themes • Expert agency/NOAA as lead agency for permitting process • Priority to environmental protection • Transparency/public participation in permitting
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NOAA’s offshore aquaculture legislation, 2007 Governance – NOAA designated lead agency. Establishes permitting process.
Environmental protection –
Environmental risks and impacts must only be "addressed” or “considered” “to the extent necessary.”
Transparency/public participation – Lacks detailed requirements to ensure “transparent” permit processes.
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Conclusions • Similar to other cage systems for raising finfish, offshore aquaculture facilities may have significant impacts on marine ecosystems • A permitting system for offshore aquaculture should include strong environmental safeguards • NOAA’s aquaculture legislation, as introduced in 2007, is inadequate to protect the environment
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